Adjustable filter track for HVAC system

ABSTRACT

An adjustable filter track system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a filter track including a guideway and a bracket that form a recess configured to receive a first filter in a first configuration of the adjustable filter track system, a plurality of receptacles formed in the guideway and aligned along a length of the guideway, and a plurality of inserts, where, in a second configuration of the adjustable filter track system, each insert of the plurality of inserts is configured to be disposed in a corresponding receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and extend outwardly from the guideway to secure a second filter between the plurality of inserts and the bracket, where the second filter has a different thickness than the first filter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/811,346, entitled “ADJUSTABLE FILTERTRACK FOR HVAC SYSTEM,” filed Feb. 27, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, and more particularly, to anadjustable filter track for an HVAC system.

HVAC systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrialenvironments to control environmental properties, such as temperatureand humidity, for occupants of the respective environments. The HVACsystem may control the environmental properties through control of anair flow delivered to the environment. In some cases, the HVAC systemmay include a filter that is configured to remove particulates and/orcontaminants that may be present in an air flow drawn into a housing ofthe HVAC system from a surrounding environment. The filter may enablethe air flow ultimately flowing across components of the HVAC system tocontain a reduced amount of particulates and/or contaminants, which mayprolong an operating life of the HVAC system and/or reduce an amount ofmaintenance performed on the HVAC system. Unfortunately, filter tracksthat secure the filter within the HVAC system may be rigidlymanufactured to fit a specific size of filter.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of an HVAC system for buildingenvironmental management that includes an HVAC unit, in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC unit that maybe used in the HVAC system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a split,residential HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression systemthat can be used in any of the systems of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustablefilter track configured to receive and secure a plurality of filtershaving different sizes or thicknesses, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket ofthe first embodiment of the adjustable filter track coupled to a firststrut in a first configuration, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of the bracketof the first embodiment of the adjustable filter track coupled to asecond strut in the first configuration, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the first embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack having a plurality of brackets coupled to the first strut and thesecond strut in the first configuration, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of anintermediate bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack coupled to the first strut and the second strut in the firstconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a firstterminal bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filter trackcoupled to the first strut and the second strut in the firstconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a secondterminal bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filter trackcoupled to the first strut and the second strut in the firstconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of the bracketof the first embodiment of the adjustable filter track coupled to thefirst strut in a second configuration, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of the bracketof the first embodiment of the adjustable filter track coupled to thesecond strut in the second configuration, in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the first embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack having the plurality of brackets coupled to the first strut andthe second strut in the second configuration, in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of theintermediate bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack coupled to the first strut and the second strut in the secondconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the firstterminal bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filter trackcoupled to the first strut and the second strut in the secondconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the secondterminal bracket of the first embodiment of the adjustable filter trackcoupled to the first strut and the second strut in the secondconfiguration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of theadjustable filter track having a plurality of adjustable angle brackets,in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of theadjustable angle brackets of the second embodiment of the adjustablefilter track, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable anglebrackets coupled to the plurality of brackets of the second embodimentof the adjustable filter track in a first configuration, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable anglebrackets coupled to the plurality of brackets of the second embodimentof the adjustable filter track in a second configuration, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the adjustablefilter track having a plurality of inserts disposed within a pluralityof receptacles, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the adjustablefilter track with the plurality of inserts removed from the plurality ofreceptacles, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of the third embodiment of theadjustable filter track having the plurality of inserts disposed withincorresponding receptacles of the plurality of receptacles, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of the third embodiment of theadjustable filter track with the plurality of inserts removed from thecorresponding receptacles of the plurality of receptacles, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert of theplurality of inserts for the third embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a side view of an embodiment of two inserts of the pluralityof inserts secured within corresponding receptacles of the plurality ofreceptacles of the third embodiment of the adjustable filter track, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock plate of thethird embodiment of the adjustable filter track of FIGS. 22-25, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the lockplate coupled to a bracket of the third embodiment of the adjustablefilter track of FIGS. 22-25, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a terminal bracket of the thirdembodiment of the adjustable filter track of FIGS. 22-25, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the terminalbracket of the third embodiment of the adjustable filter track of FIGS.22-25, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock plateconfigured to be coupled to the terminal bracket of the third embodimentof the adjustable filter track of FIGS. 22-25, in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the lockplate of FIG. 32 and an insert of the plurality of inserts coupled tothe terminal bracket of the third embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack of FIGS. 22-25, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjustable filter tracksystem for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systemincludes a filter track including a guideway and a bracket that form arecess configured to receive a first filter in a first configuration ofthe adjustable filter track system, a plurality of receptacles formed inthe guideway and aligned along a length of the guideway, and a pluralityof inserts, where, in a second configuration of the adjustable filtertrack system, each insert of the plurality of inserts is configured tobe disposed in a corresponding receptacle of the plurality ofreceptacles and extend outwardly from the guideway to secure a secondfilter between the plurality of inserts and the bracket, where thesecond filter has a different thickness than the first filter.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjustable filtertrack system includes a plurality of filter tracks each including aguideway disposed between a first bracket and a second bracket, wherethe first bracket and the second bracket extend in a directiontransverse to the guideway and are configured to retain a first filtertherebetween in a first configuration of the adjustable filter tracksystem, a plurality of receptacles formed in corresponding guideways ofthe plurality of filter tracks, and a plurality of inserts, where, in asecond configuration of the adjustable filter track system, each insertof the plurality of inserts is configured to be disposed in acorresponding receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and extendoutwardly from the corresponding guideway of the plurality of filtertracks in the direction transverse to the corresponding guideway tosecure a second filter between the respective insert and thecorresponding first bracket.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjustable filtertrack system includes a plurality of inserts, each insert of theplurality of inserts having a securement feature configured tofacilitate coupling of the respective insert to correspondingreceptacles of a plurality of receptacles extending through a guidewayof a filter track, where each insert of the plurality of inserts isconfigured to extend outwardly from the guideway of the filter track ina direction transverse to the guideway to secure a filter between therespective insert and a bracket of the filter track.

Other features and advantages of the present application will beapparent from the following, more detailed description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable filter trackconfigured to secure and/or otherwise support filters having varyingsizes or thicknesses. Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning(HVAC) systems may include filters that reduce an amount of particulatesand/or contaminants that may be present within a supply air flow beforedirecting the air flow toward components, such as a heat exchanger, ofthe HVAC system. Removal of the particulates and/or contaminants fromthe air flow may increase an operating life of the components of theHVAC system, increase an efficiency of the HVAC system, improve aquality of air flow used to condition a space, and/or reduce an amountof maintenance performed on the HVAC system. Existing filter tracks thatsecure a filter within the HVAC system may be manufactured to securefilters having one particular size. In such cases, a filter track of onetype must be removed and replaced with another filter track of anothertype in order to switch between filters having different sizes.Additionally, manufacturing filter tracks for specifically-sized filtersmay increase costs by requiring multiple filter tracks to be producedand made available for sale. Further still, switching between variousfilter tracks may be time consuming and relatively complex.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to anadjustable filter track system that may include a plurality ofconfigurations in order to receive and secure a plurality of differentsized filters. For example, in a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the adjustable filter track system may include a filtertrack having a first bracket, a second bracket, and a guideway disposedbetween the first bracket and the second bracket. The first bracket, thesecond bracket, and the guideway may form a recess configured to receivea filter. The filter track may be coupled to a first coupling feature ofa strut of a frame in a first configuration to secure a first filterhaving a first thickness within the filter track. The filter track mayalso be coupled to a second coupling feature of the strut in a secondconfiguration to secure a second filter having a second thickness,different than the first thickness, within the filter track. In someembodiments, the strut includes a first panel, a second panel oppositethe first panel, and a third panel coupling the first panel and thesecond panel to one another. The strut may thus form an open-sidedstructure that extends in a direction transverse to a length of thefilter track. The first coupling feature of the strut may be included onthe first panel of the strut, and the second coupling feature of thestrut may be included on the second panel of the strut. Accordingly, awidth of the recess formed by the filter track may be adjusted byswitching between the first configuration and the second configuration,which enables the adjustable filter track to secure the first filter andthe second filter.

In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustable filtertrack system may include a filter track and an adjustable angle bracketrotatably coupled to a guideway of the filter track. The adjustableangle bracket is configured to rotate about an axis from a firstconfiguration position that secures a first filter having a firstthickness within the filter bracket to a second position configured tosecure a second filter having a second thickness, different than thefirst thickness, within the filter bracket.

In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustable filtertrack system includes a filter track having a guideway and a pluralityof receptacles formed within the guideway. A plurality of inserts areconfigured to be disposed in corresponding receptacles of the pluralityof receptacles to secure a first filter having a first thickness withinthe filter track. The plurality of inserts are configured to beremovably coupled to the plurality of receptacles, such that when theplurality of inserts is removed from the plurality of receptacles, theadjustable filter track system is configured to secure a second filterhaving a second thickness, different than the first thickness, withinthe filter track.

While the present disclosure discusses three embodiments of theadjustable filter track system, it should be recognized that featuresfrom any of the embodiments may be used separately or in combinationwith one another to form any suitable adjustable filter track system. Inany case, the adjustable filter track system is configured to receiveand secure a plurality of filters having varying thicknesses within thefilter track. As such, manufacturing of multiple different sized filtertracks may be avoided and/or eliminated to reduce costs. Further,adjusting the adjustable filter track system between variousconfigurations may be simplified, thereby reducing an amount of timeinvolved in transitioning between filters having different thicknesses.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system forenvironmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. As usedherein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured toenable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, suchas temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth.For example, an “HVAC system” as used herein is defined asconventionally understood and as further described herein. Components orparts of an “HVAC system” may include, but are not limited to, all, someof, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flowcontrol device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climatecharacteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control deviceconfigured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, acomponent configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, ora combination thereof. An “HVAC system” is a system configured toprovide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation,dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or anycombination thereof. The embodiments described herein may be utilized ina variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such asresidential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or otherapplications where climate control is desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, a building 10 is air conditioned by asystem that includes an HVAC unit 12. The building 10 may be acommercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit12 is disposed on the roof of the building 10; however, the HVAC unit 12may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building10. The HVAC unit 12 may be a single package unit containing otherequipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliaryheating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of asplit HVAC system, such as the system shown in FIG. 3, which includes anoutdoor HVAC unit 58 and an indoor HVAC unit 56.

The HVAC unit 12 is an air cooled device that implements a refrigerationcycle to provide conditioned air to the building 10. Specifically, theHVAC unit 12 may include one or more heat exchangers across which an airflow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is suppliedto the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is arooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such asenvironmental air and/or a return air flow from the building 10. Afterthe HVAC unit 12 conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building10 via ductwork 14 extending throughout the building 10 from the HVACunit 12. For example, the ductwork 14 may extend to various individualfloors or other sections of the building 10. In certain embodiments, theHVAC unit 12 may be a heat pump that provides both heating and coolingto the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate indifferent modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include oneor more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnacefor heating the air stream.

A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be usedto designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device16 also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork 14.For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation ofone or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other components, such asdampers and fans, within the building 10 that may control flow of airthrough and/or from the ductwork 14. In some embodiments, other devicesmay be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperaturetransducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of thesupply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device 16may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate fromother building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that areremote from the building 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a single package unitthat may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits andcomponents that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready forinstallation. The HVAC unit 12 may provide a variety of heating and/orcooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling withelectric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, orcooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit 12 maydirectly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building 10 tocondition a space in the building 10.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a cabinet 24 enclosesthe HVAC unit 12 and provides structural support and protection to theinternal components from environmental and other contaminants. In someembodiments, the cabinet 24 may be constructed of galvanized steel andinsulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails 26 may be joined tothe bottom perimeter of the cabinet 24 and provide a foundation for theHVAC unit 12. In certain embodiments, the rails 26 may provide accessfor a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/orremoval of the HVAC unit 12. In some embodiments, the rails 26 may fitinto “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit 12 to provide air tothe ductwork 14 from the bottom of the HVAC unit 12 while blockingelements such as rain from leaking into the building 10.

The HVAC unit 12 includes heat exchangers 28 and 30 in fluidcommunication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within theheat exchangers 28 and 30 may circulate refrigerant, such as R-410A,through the heat exchangers 28 and 30. The tubes may be of varioustypes, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminumtubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers 28 and 30 mayimplement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phasechanges and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heatexchangers 28 and 30 to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example,the heat exchanger 28 may function as a condenser where heat is releasedfrom the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger 30 mayfunction as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool anair stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may operate in a heatpump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers 28 and 30 may bereversed. That is, the heat exchanger 28 may function as an evaporatorand the heat exchanger 30 may function as a condenser. In furtherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include a furnace for heating the airstream that is supplied to the building 10. While the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 2 shows the HVAC unit 12 having two of the heatexchangers 28 and 30, in other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may includeone heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers.

The heat exchanger 30 is located within a compartment 31 that separatesthe heat exchanger 30 from the heat exchanger 28. Fans 32 draw air fromthe environment through the heat exchanger 28. Air may be heated and/orcooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger 28 before beingreleased back to the environment surrounding the rooftop unit 12. Ablower assembly 34, powered by a motor 36, draws air through the heatexchanger 30 to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may bedirected to the building 10 by the ductwork 14, which may be connectedto the HVAC unit 12. Before flowing through the heat exchanger 30, theconditioned air flows through one or more filters 38 that may removeparticulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, thefilters 38 may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger30 to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger 30.

The HVAC unit 12 also may include other equipment for implementing thethermal cycle. Compressors 42 increase the pressure and temperature ofthe refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 28. Thecompressors 42 may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scrollcompressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocatingcompressors. In some embodiments, the compressors 42 may include a pairof hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stageconfiguration 44. However, in other embodiments, any number of thecompressors 42 may be provided to achieve various stages of heatingand/or cooling. As may be appreciated, additional equipment and devicesmay be included in the HVAC unit 12, such as a solid-core filter drier,a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches,phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things.

The HVAC unit 12 may receive power through a terminal block 46. Forexample, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminalblock 46 to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit 12 maybe governed or regulated by a control board 48. The control board 48 mayinclude control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, andalarms. One or more of these components may be referred to hereinseparately or collectively as the control device 16. The controlcircuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment,provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring 49 may connect thecontrol board 48 and the terminal block 46 to the equipment of the HVACunit 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a residential heating and cooling system 50, also inaccordance with present techniques. The residential heating and coolingsystem 50 may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure,as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improvedindoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights andair filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating andcooling system 50 is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence 52conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits 54that operatively couple the indoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58. Theindoor unit 56 may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, abasement, and so forth. The outdoor unit 58 is typically situatedadjacent to a side of residence 52 and is covered by a shroud to protectthe system components and to prevent leaves and other debris orcontaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits 54transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit 56 and the outdoor unit 58,typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction andprimarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction.

When the system shown in FIG. 3 is operating as an air conditioner, aheat exchanger 60 in the outdoor unit 58 serves as a condenser forre-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit 56 tothe outdoor unit 58 via one of the refrigerant conduits 54. In theseapplications, a heat exchanger 62 of the indoor unit functions as anevaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger 62 receives liquidrefrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, andevaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit 58.

The outdoor unit 58 draws environmental air through the heat exchanger60 using a fan 64 and expels the air above the outdoor unit 58. Whenoperating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger60 within the outdoor unit 58 and exits the unit at a temperature higherthan it entered. The indoor unit 56 includes a blower or fan 66 thatdirects air through or across the indoor heat exchanger 62, where theair is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode.Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork 68 that directs the airto the residence 52. The overall system operates to maintain a desiredtemperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensedinside the residence 52 is higher than the set point on the thermostat,or the set point plus a small amount, the residential heating andcooling system 50 may become operative to refrigerate additional air forcirculation through the residence 52. When the temperature reaches theset point, or the set point minus a small amount, the residentialheating and cooling system 50 may stop the refrigeration cycletemporarily.

The residential heating and cooling system 50 may also operate as a heatpump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers 60 and62 are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger 60 of the outdoor unit 58will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby coolair entering the outdoor unit 58 as the air passes over the outdoor heatexchanger 60. The indoor heat exchanger 62 will receive a stream of airblown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 may include a furnace system 70.For example, the indoor unit 56 may include the furnace system 70 whenthe residential heating and cooling system 50 is not configured tooperate as a heat pump. The furnace system 70 may include a burnerassembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoorunit 56. Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace 70 whereit is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. Thecombustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heatexchanger, separate from heat exchanger 62, such that air directed bythe blower 66 passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from thecombustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnacesystem 70 to the ductwork 68 for heating the residence 52.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a vapor compression system 72 that can beused in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system72 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with acompressor 74. The circuit may also include a condenser 76, an expansionvalve(s) or device(s) 78, and an evaporator 80. The vapor compressionsystem 72 may further include a control panel 82 that has an analog todigital (A/D) converter 84, a microprocessor 86, a non-volatile memory88, and/or an interface board 90. The control panel 82 and itscomponents may function to regulate operation of the vapor compressionsystem 72 based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vaporcompression system 72 that detect operating conditions, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may use one or moreof a variable speed drive (VSDs) 92, a motor 94, the compressor 74, thecondenser 76, the expansion valve or device 78, and/or the evaporator80. The motor 94 may drive the compressor 74 and may be powered by thevariable speed drive (VSD) 92. The VSD 92 receives alternating current(AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed linefrequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variablevoltage and frequency to the motor 94. In other embodiments, the motor94 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) powersource. The motor 94 may include any type of electric motor that can bepowered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as aswitched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronicallycommutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

The compressor 74 compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vaporto the condenser 76 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments,the compressor 74 may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapordelivered by the compressor 74 to the condenser 76 may transfer heat toa fluid passing across the condenser 76, such as ambient orenvironmental air 96. The refrigerant vapor may condense to arefrigerant liquid in the condenser 76 as a result of thermal heattransfer with the environmental air 96. The liquid refrigerant from thecondenser 76 may flow through the expansion device 78 to the evaporator80.

The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator 80 may absorb heatfrom another air stream, such as a supply air stream 98 provided to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52. For example, the supply air stream 98may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, ora combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 80may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerantvapor. In this manner, the evaporator 80 may reduce the temperature ofthe supply air stream 98 via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant.Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator 80 and returns tothe compressor 74 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may further includea reheat coil in addition to the evaporator 80. For example, the reheatcoil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to thesupply air stream 98 and may reheat the supply air stream 98 when thesupply air stream 98 is overcooled to remove humidity from the supplyair stream 98 before the supply air stream 98 is directed to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52.

It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein maybe incorporated with the HVAC unit 12, the residential heating andcooling system 50, or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while thefeatures disclosed herein are described in the context of embodimentsthat directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a buildingor other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicableto other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features describedherein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free coolingsystems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigerationapplications.

As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directedto an improved filter track that may be adjusted to secure filtershaving a plurality of different sizes. For example, a filter, such asthe filter 38, may be disposed upstream of various components of an HVACsystem, such as the heat exchanger 30, with respect to an air flowdirected through the HVAC system. The filter removes particulates and/orcontaminants from the air flow, which may increase a heat transferefficiency between the air flow and the refrigerant flowing throughcomponents of the HVAC system and may improve a quality of the air flowbefore the air flow is supplied to a conditioned space serviced by theHVAC system. Existing filter tracks that secure filters within the HVACsystem may be manufactured to secure filters having one particularthickness or size. As such, switching between filters of different sizesinvolves removal and replacement of the filter track. Utilizing multiplefilter tracks for different sizes of filters may increase manufacturingcosts of the HVAC system. Accordingly, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are directed to an adjustable filter track system that mayinclude a plurality of configurations that enable a filter track tosecure filters having various sizes and/or thicknesses. The presentdisclosure discusses three embodiments of the adjustable filter tracksystem. It should be understood that features of any of the threeembodiments may be used separately or in combination with one another toform any suitable adjustable filter track system.

First Embodiment of the Adjustable Filter Track System

For instance, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of anadjustable filter track system 100. Embodiments of the adjustable filtertrack system 100 may be implemented with any suitable HVAC system, suchas the HVAC unit 12 of FIG. 2, the heating and cooling system 50 of FIG.3, or any other HVAC system in which filtering of an air flow isdesired. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, theadjustable filter track system 100 includes a plurality of recesses 102formed by a plurality of filter tracks 104 coupled to a frame 105 havinga first strut 106 and a second strut 108. In some embodiments, theplurality of filter tracks 104, the first strut 106, and the secondstrut 108 may be formed or include a metallic material, such as sheetmetal, aluminum, copper, or another suitable metal. In otherembodiments, the plurality of filter tracks 104, the first strut 106,and the second strut 108 may be formed or include another suitablematerial, such as a polymeric material.

The plurality of filter tracks 104 may each include a first bracket 110having a first coupling feature 111, such as first receptacles, and asecond bracket 112. The first coupling feature 111 of the first bracket110 is configured to couple one of the plurality of filter tracks 104 toa second coupling feature 113 of each of the struts 106, 108 and to athird coupling feature 115 of each of the struts 106, 108 in a firstconfiguration and a second configuration of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100, respectively. The plurality of recesses 102 may includedifferent depths 114, or widths, when positioned in the firstconfiguration as compared to the second configuration. For example, thedepth 114 of the plurality of recesses 102 in the first configurationmay have a first magnitude to enable a filter having a first thicknessto be secured and disposed within the plurality of recesses 102.Additionally, the depth 114 of the plurality of recesses 102 in thesecond configuration may have a second magnitude to enable a filterhaving a second thickness, different than the first thickness, to besecured and disposed within the plurality of recesses 102. In otherwords, the depth 114 of the plurality of recesses 102 may be adjusted byswitching between the first configuration and the second configurationvia coupling the first bracket 110 to the second coupling feature 113 ofthe struts 106, 108 in the first configuration and via coupling thefirst bracket 110 to the third coupling feature 115 of the struts 106,108 in the second configuration.

In some embodiments, the plurality of filter tracks 104 may includeterminal filter tracks 116 and intermediate filter tracks 118. Forexample, the terminal filter tracks 116 may be positioned at a first end120 and a second end 122 of each of the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108. The intermediate filter tracks 118 may be positioned betweenthe first end 120 and the second end 122 and may be configured topartially form multiple recesses 102. In other words, the intermediatefilter tracks 118 may be spaced between the ends 120, 122 and areconfigured to secure two filters disposed in adjacent recesses 102. Theterminal filter tracks 116 positioned at the ends 120, 122 may beconfigured to at least partially form one of the recesses 102, and thus,may be configured to receive and/or secure a single filter.

In some embodiments, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes aplurality of stop plates 124 positioned along each of the plurality ofrecesses 102. The plurality of stop plates 124 may block movement of thefilters within the respective recesses 102 from moving beyond an end 126of the respective recesses 102 as the filters are slid or otherwisedisposed into the respective recesses from an opposing end 128 of therespective recesses 102. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality ofstop plates 124 is configured to maintain a position of the filterswithin the adjustable filter track system 100, such that the filters aredisposed within a path of an air flow 117 directed through theadjustable filter track system 100. For instance, the plurality of stopplates 124 extends along a length 119 of the plurality of recesses 102and provide a barrier to maintain a position of filters within theplurality of filter tracks 104 and the plurality of recesses 102. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the plurality of stopplates 124 extend from corresponding guideways 121 of the plurality offilter tracks 104 in a direction transverse to the length 119 of theplurality of recesses 102. As such, the plurality of stop plates 124 isconfigured to block movement of the filters in a direction 123 withinthe plurality of filter tracks 104.

Similar to the plurality of filter tracks 104, the plurality of stopplates 124 may include terminal stop plates 125 and intermediate stopplates 127. The intermediate stop plates 127 may be positioned betweenthe first end 120 and the second end 122 of the struts 106, 108 and maybe configured to be disposed within multiple recesses 102. In otherwords, the intermediate stop plates 127 may be spaced between the ends120, 122 and may be configured to block movement of two filters disposedin adjacent recesses 102 beyond the end 126 of the adjustable filtertrack system 100. The terminal stop plates 125 are positioned at theends 120, 122 and may be configured to be disposed within one of therecesses 102, and thus, are configured to block movement a single filterbeyond the end 126 of the adjustable filter track system 100.

As set forth above, the adjustable filter track system 100 is configuredto receive filters having different sizes or thicknesses. FIGS. 6 and 7are expanded perspective views of embodiments of the first strut 106 andthe second strut 108, respectively, in a first configuration 131. Whilethe illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a terminalfilter track 116 and a terminal stop plate 125, it should be recognizedthat the present discussion directed to coupling the terminal filtertrack 116 and terminal stop plate 125 to the struts 106, 108 may besubstantially the same for intermediate filter tracks 118 andintermediate stop plates 127. In any case, in the first configuration131, the adjustable filter track system 100 is configured to receive afirst filter having a first thickness.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the first couplingfeature 111 of the first bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks104 includes an opening 132, such as a first opening, configured toreceive a fastener 134 that secures a first end 136 of the filter track104 to the first strut 106 in the first configuration 131. The secondcoupling feature 113 of the first strut 106 includes a correspondingopening 138 that is configured to align with the opening 132, such thatthe fastener 134 extends through the opening 132 and the correspondingopening 138 in the first configuration 131. In some embodiments, thefastener 134 includes a rivet, a screw and a nut, a bolt and a nut,and/or another suitable fastener configured to secure the filter track104 to the first strut 106.

Further, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes a respectivestop plate 124 secured to the first strut 106 at the first end 136 ofthe respective recess 102. As shown in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 6, the respective stop plate 124 is configured to be secured to thefirst strut 106 via a fastener 140 extending through an opening 142 ofthe respective stop plate 124 and a corresponding opening 144 in thefirst strut 106. The corresponding opening 144 may be part of the thirdcoupling feature 115 of the first strut 106 and/or a separate openingfor securing the stop plate 124 to the first strut 106. In someembodiments, the first strut 106 includes a first panel 146 thatincludes the second coupling feature 113 and a second panel 148,opposite the first panel 146, that includes the third coupling feature115 and/or the corresponding opening 144. Further, the first strut 106may include a third panel 150 coupled to, or extending between, thefirst panel 146 and the second panel 148. The first strut 106 may thusdefine an open-sided structure having a C-shaped cross section formed bythe first panel 146, the second panel 148, and the third panel 150. Inother embodiments, the first strut 106 may include another suitablecross section or geometry that enables the plurality of filter tracks104 to be coupled to the first strut 106 in the first configuration 131and a second configuration. In any case, the first strut 106 extends ina direction 149 that is transverse to a direction 151 along which thelength 119 of the plurality of recesses 102 extends. Further, as shownin FIG. 6, the plurality of recesses 102 of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 extends from an interior face 153 of the first panel 146 ofthe first strut 106 past an exterior face 155 of the second panel 148 ofthe first strut 106. The filters are configured to be secured betweenthe exterior face 155 of the second panel 148 of the first strut 106 andthe second bracket 112 of the plurality of filter tracks 104. Thefilters are also secured between the stop plate 124 and the secondbracket 112.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the filter track 104is coupled to the second strut 108 at the end 126 of the recess 102 inthe first configuration 131. The first bracket 110 of the plurality offilter tracks 104 includes an opening 152, such as a second opening,configured to receive a fastener 154 that secures a second end 156 ofthe filter track 104 to the second strut 108 in the first configuration131. The second coupling feature 113 of the second strut 108 includes acorresponding opening 158 that is configured to align with the opening152, such that the fastener 154 extends through the opening 152 and thecorresponding opening 158 in the first configuration 131. In someembodiments, the fastener 154 includes a rivet, a screw and a nut, abolt and a nut, and/or another suitable fastener configured to securethe filter track 104 to the second strut 108.

Further, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes the stop plate124 secured to the second strut 108 at the end 126 of the respectiverecess 102. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the stopplate 124 is configured to be secured to the second strut 108 via afastener 160 extending through an opening 162 of the stop plate 124 anda corresponding opening 164 extending through the second strut 108. Thecorresponding opening 164 may be part of the third coupling feature 115of the second strut 108 and/or a separate opening for securing the stopplate 124 to the second strut 108. In some embodiments, the second strut108 includes a first panel 166 that includes the second coupling feature113 and a second panel 168 that includes the third coupling feature 115and/or corresponding opening 164. The second strut 108 may also includea third panel 170 coupled to, or extending between, the first panel 166and the second panel 168. The second strut 108 may thus have a C-shapedcross section formed by the first panel 166, the second panel 168, andthe third panel 170. In other embodiments, the second strut 108 mayinclude another suitable cross section or geometry that enables theplurality of filter tracks 104 to be coupled to the second strut 108 inthe first configuration 131 and a second configuration. In any case, thesecond strut 108 extends in the direction 149 that is transverse to thedirection 151 along which the length 119 of the plurality of recesses102 extends.

The stop plate 124 shown in FIG. 7, which is one of the terminal stopplates 125, includes a flange 172 at the end 126 of the adjustablefilter track system 100. The flange 172 may block movement of a filterin the direction 151 along the length 119 of the respective recess 102formed by the respective filter track 104, the first strut 106, and thesecond strut 108. As such, the filter may be secured within theadjustable filter track system 100 in a position that removesparticulates and/or contaminants from the air flow directed through andacross the adjustable filter track system 100. Further, as shown in FIG.7, the plurality of recesses 102 of the adjustable filter track system100 extends from an interior face 174 of the first panel 166 of thesecond strut 108 past an exterior face 176 of the second panel 168 ofthe second strut 108. The filters are configured to be secured betweenthe exterior face 176 of the second panel 168 of the second strut 108and the second bracket 112 of the plurality of filter tracks 104. Thefilters are also secured between the stop plate 124 and the secondbracket 112.

As set forth above, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes theplurality of filter tracks 104 that are each disposed along a height 190of the first strut 106 and the second strut 108 extending from the firstend 120 to the second end 122. For example, FIG. 8 is a side view of anembodiment of the adjustable filter track system 100 having theplurality of filter tracks 104 secured to the first strut 106 and thesecond strut 108 in the first configuration 131. As shown in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the plurality of filter tracks 104 isspaced with a respective distance 192 between one another along theheight 190 of the first strut 106 and the second strut 108. In someembodiments, the distance 192 may be a predetermined height that isconfigured to accommodate a height of filters disposed within theplurality of recesses 102 of the adjustable filter track system 100. Thedistance 192 may be uniform between the plurality of filter tracks 104,and, in other embodiments, the distance 192 may be non-uniform.

As set forth above, the intermediate filter tracks 118 may be configuredto partially form more than one of the plurality of recesses 102. Forexample, a first intermediate filter track 194 of the plurality offilter tracks 104 may be configured to partially form a first recess 196of the plurality of recesses 102 and a second recess 198 of theplurality of recesses 102. As such, the second bracket 112 of the firstintermediate filter track 194 may include a flange 200 extending aboveand below the guideway 121 of the first intermediate filter track 194.The guideway 121 of the first intermediate filter track 194 may beutilized as a support and/or guide for the filters disposed within thefirst recess 196 and the second recess 198 of the plurality of recesses102. Additionally, the flange 200 may be utilized to facilitateinstallation of the filters into the first recess 196 and the secondrecess 198. For instance, the flange 200 may be offset from the firststrut 106 and/or the second strut 108 by a distance 204 that correspondsto a thickness or size of one embodiment of the filters. As such, thefilters may be configured to be disposed between the first strut 106,the second strut 108, and the flange 200 and may be slid into the firstrecess 196 and the second recess 198 up to the flange 172 of therespective stop plate 124, such as an intermediate stop plate 127. Therespective stop plate 124 blocks movement of the filters in the firstrecess 196 and the second recess 198 beyond the second strut 108 in adirection of the air flow 117 across the adjustable filter track system100 to maintain a position of the filters within the adjustable filtertrack system 100.

Additionally, the flange 172 of the respective stop plate 124 coupled tothe first strut 106 and the second strut 108 at the same position as thefirst intermediate filter track 194 with respect to the height 190 ofthe struts 106, 108 may extend aside or into the first recess 196 andthe second recess 198. As such, the flange 172 of the respective stopplate 124 may be utilized to block movement of filters disposed in boththe first recess 196 and the second recess 198. As shown in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the adjustable filter track system 100may also include a second intermediate filter track 206 that includesthe flange 200, and thus, partially forms the second recess 198 and athird recess 208. While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8 shows theadjustable filter track system 100 having the first intermediate filtertrack 194 and the second intermediate filter track 206 that areconfigured to partially form multiple recesses of the plurality ofrecesses 102, it should be understood that the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 may include any suitable number of intermediate filter tracks118 having the flange 200 extending aside or into multiple recesses ofthe plurality of recesses 102.

Further, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes the terminalfilter tracks 116 positioned at each of the ends 120, 122 of the firststrut 106 and the second strut 108. For instance, the adjustable filtertrack system 100 includes a first terminal filter track 210 and a secondterminal filter track 212 of the plurality of filter tracks 104. Thefirst terminal filter track 210 may be disposed at the first end 120 ofthe first strut 106 and the second strut 108, and the second terminalfilter track 212 may be disposed at the second end 122 of the firststrut 106 and the second strut 108. The first terminal filter track 210and the second terminal filter track 212 are configured to partiallyform the first recess 196 and the third recess 208, respectively. Inother words, the first terminal filter track 210 and the second terminalfilter track 212 are configured to partially form terminal recesses ofthe plurality of recesses 102 that are proximate to the first end 120and the second end 122 of the first strut 106 and the second strut 108.

In any case, the first terminal filter track 210 and the second terminalfilter track 212 may each include a flange 218 that extends from therespective guideway 121 in a single direction with respect to the height190 of the first strut 106 and the second strut 108. The flange 218 isconfigured to facilitate installation of the filters into the firstrecess 196 and the third recess 208 of the illustrated embodiment. Forinstance, the flange 218 may be offset from the first strut 106 and/orthe second strut 108 at the distance 204 that corresponds to a thicknessor size of the filters. As such, the filters may be configured to bedisposed between the first strut 106, the second strut 108, and/or theflange 218 and slid into the first recess 196 and the third recess 208up to the flange 172 of the respective stop plate 124, such as therespective terminal stop plate 125 of the terminal filter track 210,212. Additionally, the flange 172 of the respective stop plates 124disposed at the same position as the first terminal filter track 210 andthe second terminal filter track 212 with respect to the height 190 ofthe struts 106, 108 may extend into or aside only the first recess 196or the third recess 208. In other words, because the respective stopplates 124 are positioned at the terminal ends 120, 122 of the struts106, 108, the respective stop plates 124 maintain a position of a filterpositioned in a single one of the recesses 102.

In some embodiments, the adjustable filter track system 100 includes abase support member 224 and a top support member 226. As shown in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the base support member 224 isdisposed on the second end 122 of the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108 to provide support to the second terminal filter track 212.Additionally, the top support member 226 is disposed on the first end120 of the first strut 106 and the second strut 108 to provide supportto the first terminal filter track 210. The base support member 224 andthe top support member 226 are discussed in further detail herein withreference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 9 is an expanded cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of thefirst intermediate filter track 194 coupled to the first strut 106 andthe second strut 108 in the first configuration 131. As should beunderstood, the second intermediate filter track 206 may be similarlycoupled to the first strut 106 and the second strut 108 and may havesimilar elements as those shown in FIG. 9. In any case, the firstintermediate filter track 194 may be coupled to the first strut 106 atthe end 128 of the adjustable filter track system 100 via the secondcoupling feature 113 of the first strut 106 and the fastener 134extending through the first panel 146 of the first strut 106. Similarly,the first intermediate filter track 194 may be coupled to the secondstrut 108 at the end 126 of the adjustable filter track system 100 viathe second coupling feature 113 of the second strut 108 and the fastener154 extending through the first panel 166 of the second strut 108.Further, the respective stop plate 124, such as one of the intermediatestop plates 127, is coupled to both the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108 via the fastener 140 and the fastener 160, respectively.

In some embodiments, the intermediate filter tracks 118 may be formedwith two adjacent terminal filter tracks 116 coupled to one anotherand/or otherwise abutting one another when coupled to the struts 106,108. As such, the intermediate filter tracks 118 may include twoseparate terminal filter tracks 116 and/or a single piece component. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9, the first intermediatefilter track 194 and the respective stop plate 124 associated with thefirst intermediate filter track 194 are coupled to the first strut 106and the second strut 108 above and below the guideway 121 with respectto the height 190 of the struts 106, 108. As such, the adjustable filtertrack system 100 includes two of the fasteners 134, two of the fasteners140, two of the fasteners 154, and two of the fasteners 160. Theadditional fasteners utilized for the intermediate filter tracks 118 mayprovide additional support to the intermediate filter tracks 118. As setforth above, the intermediate filter tracks 118 may be utilized topartially form multiple recesses of the plurality of recesses 102. Assuch, the additional support provided by the additional fasteners mayenable the intermediate filter tracks 118 to guide and secure multiplefilters within the multiple recesses 102.

FIG. 10 is an expanded cross-sectional side view of the first terminalfilter track 210 coupled to the first strut 106 and the second strut 108in the first configuration 131. As shown in the illustrated embodiment,the first terminal filter track 210 is coupled to the first strut 106 atthe end 128 of the first recess 196 via the second coupling feature 113of the first strut 106 and the fastener 134 extending through the firstpanel 146 of the first strut 106. Similarly, the first terminal filtertrack 210 is coupled to the second strut 108 at the end 126 of the firstrecess 196 via the second coupling feature 113 of the second strut 108and the fastener 154 extending through the first panel 166 of the secondstrut 108. Further, the respective stop plate 124, such as the terminalstop plate 125, is coupled to both the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108 via the fastener 140 and the fastener 160, respectively.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, the top supportmember 226 is coupled to the first end 120 of the struts 106, 108. Insome embodiments, the top support member 226 includes a coupling portion240 and a support flange 242. The coupling portion 240 of the topsupport member 226 is coupled to the first end 120 of the first strut106 via a fastener 244 and to the first end 120 of the second strut 108via a fastener 246. Further, the support flange 242 of the top supportmember 226 may contact and/or abut the first terminal filter track 210.Accordingly, the support flange 242 may block movement of the firstterminal filter track 210 with respect to a direction 248 along theheight 190 of the struts 106, 108. Thus, the first terminal filter track210 may facilitate insertion of the filters into the first recess 196because the support flange 242 restricts an amount of movement of thefirst terminal filter track 210 with respect to the struts 106, 108. Inother words, the filter may not inadvertently move out of the firstrecess 196 due to movement of the first terminal filter track 210 as thefilter is slid into the first recess 196.

FIG. 11 is an expanded side view of the second terminal filter track 212coupled to the first strut 106 and the second strut 108 in the firstconfiguration 131. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the secondterminal filter track 212 is coupled to the first strut 106 at the end128 of the third recess 208 via the second coupling feature 113 of thefirst strut 106 and the fastener 134 extending through the first panel146 of the first strut 106. Similarly, the second terminal filter track212 is coupled to the second strut 108 at the end 126 of the thirdrecess 208 via the second coupling feature 113 of the second strut 108and the fastener 154 extending through the first panel 166 of the secondstrut 108. Further, the respective stop plate 124, such as the terminalstop plate 125, is coupled to both the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108 via the fastener 140 and the fastener 160, respectively.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11, the base supportmember 224 is coupled to the second end 122 of the struts 106, 108. Insome embodiments, the base support member 224 includes a couplingportion 260 and a support flange 262. The coupling portion 260 of thebase support member 224 is coupled to the second end 122 of the firststrut 106 via a fastener 264 and to the second end 122 of the secondstrut 108 via a fastener 266. Further, the support flange 262 of thebase support member 224 may contact and/or abut the second terminalfilter track 212. Accordingly, the support flange 262 may block movementof the first terminal filter track 210 with respect to a direction 268,opposite the direction 248, along the height 190 of the struts 106, 108.Thus, the second terminal filter track 212 may facilitate insertion ofthe filters into the third recess 208 because the support flange 262restricts an amount of movement of the second terminal filter track 212with respect to the struts 106, 108. In other words, the filter may notinadvertently move out of the third recess 208 due to movement of thesecond terminal filter track 212 as the filter is slid into the thirdrecess 208.

As set forth above, the adjustable filter track system 100 is configuredto receive and secure filters having various thicknesses. FIGS. 12-17illustrate embodiments of the adjustable filter track system 100 ofFIGS. 5-11 in a second configuration 280. As shown in the illustratedembodiments of FIGS. 12-17, the plurality of filter tracks 104 may becoupled to the second panel 148 of the first strut 106 and the secondpanel 168 of the second strut 108 via the third coupling feature 115 ofthe struts 106, 108. For example, the third coupling feature 115 of thefirst strut 106 includes an opening 282, such as a third opening,extending through the second panel 148 to enable the first bracket 110of the plurality of filter tracks 104 to couple to the first strut 106in the second configuration 280. Similarly, the third coupling feature115 of the second strut 108 includes an opening 284, such as a fourthopening, extending through the second panel 168 of the second strut 108to enable the first bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 tocouple to the second strut 108 in the second configuration 280.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 12, the first bracket110 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 includes a correspondingopening 286 configured to align with the opening 282 of the first strut106. Accordingly, the fastener 140, or another fastener, may extendthrough the opening 282 and the corresponding opening 286 to couple thefirst bracket 110 to the first strut 106. Additionally, as shown in FIG.13, the first bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 mayinclude a corresponding opening 288 configured to align with the opening284 of the second strut 108. As such, the fastener 160, or anotherfastener, may extend through the opening 284 and the correspondingopening 288 to couple the first bracket 110 to the second strut 108. Inthe second configuration 280, the plurality of filter tracks 104 extendsthe depth 114 outwardly from the first strut 106 and the second strut108. Specifically, the plurality of recesses 102 extends from theexterior faces 155, 176 of the struts 106, 108 to the second bracket 112of the plurality of filter tracks 104. As such, a first magnitude of thedepth 114 of the plurality of recesses 102 in the second configuration280 is greater than a second magnitude of the depth 114 of the pluralityof recesses 102 in the first configuration 131. Therefore, theadjustable filter track system 100 is configured to receive and securefilters having a greater size of thickness in the second configuration280 as compared to the first configuration 131.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate side views of the adjustable filter track system100 with the plurality of filter tracks 104 coupled to the first strut106 and the second strut 108 in the second configuration 280.Accordingly, FIGS. 14-17 include similar elements and element numbers asthose described above with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. It should benoted that, in some embodiments, transitioning between the firstconfiguration 131 and the second configuration 280 may not involvecoupling and/or uncoupling the plurality of stop plates 124, the basesupport member 224, and/or the top support member 226. In any case, theplurality of stop plates 124, the base support member 224, and/or thetop support member 226 may remain in substantially the same positionwith respect to the first strut 106 and the second strut 108 in both thefirst configuration 131 and the second configuration 280.

Second Embodiment of the Adjustable Filter Track

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of theadjustable filter track system 100 having a plurality of adjustableangle brackets 300 configured to rotatably couple to the plurality offilter tracks 104. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 18,the plurality of filter tracks 104 is configured to couple to a frame301 having a first strut 302, a second strut 304, and/or a support beam306 of the adjustable filter track system 100. In some embodiments, thefirst strut 302 and the second strut 304 may include substantially thesame configuration as the first strut 106 and the second strut 108discussed above. In other embodiments, the first strut 302 and thesecond strut 304 may include portions of a housing 308 of an HVACsystem, such as HVAC unit 12. The support beam 306 may be utilized toprovide support to the plurality of filter tracks 104 at a position 310between a first end 312 and a second end 314 of the plurality ofrecesses 102. In some embodiments, the support beam 306 is not includedin the adjustable filter track system 100, and the plurality of filtertracks 104 are supported by the first strut 302 and the second strut304.

The plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 are positioned along alength 316 of the plurality of recesses 102 and/or the plurality offilter tracks 104 between the first end 312 and the second end 314. Insome embodiments, the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 isequally spaced along the length 316 of the plurality of recesses 102and/or the plurality of filter tracks 104. In other embodiments, theplurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 is spaced non-uniformly alongthe length 316 of the plurality of recesses 102 and/or the plurality offilter tracks 104. In any case, the plurality of adjustable anglebrackets 300 is configured to transition between a first configurationand a second configuration to enable the adjustable filter track system100 to receive and secure filters having various sizes and/orthicknesses. For instance, the plurality of adjustable angle brackets300 is coupled to a respective guideway 121 of each of the filter tracks104. The plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 is configured torotate about an axis 320 defined by an opening 322 extending through theguideway 121 at a position at which each of the plurality of adjustableangle brackets 300 is coupled to the guideway 121. In some embodiments,the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 may be rotated about theaxis 320 approximately 180 degrees to transition between the firstconfiguration and the second configuration.

FIG. 19 is a partial exploded perspective view of an embodiment of theadjustable angle brackets 300 and the plurality of filter tracks 104. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 19, each of the plurality offilter tracks 104, which ultimately form the plurality of recesses 102,includes the first bracket 110, the second bracket 112, and the guideway121. The first bracket 110, the second bracket 112, and the guideway 121may form a groove 330 of the plurality of recesses 102, which isconfigured to slidably receive a filter. Additionally, the first bracket110 and the second bracket 112 extend in a direction 334 transverse tothe guideway 121, and thus, transverse to a direction of air flowthrough the plurality of recesses 102. In some embodiments, the firstbracket 110 may include a plurality of openings 336 or cutouts along thelength 316 of the plurality of recesses 102 and/or the plurality offilter tracks 104. The positions of the plurality of openings 336 of thefirst bracket 110 may align with corresponding positions of theplurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 along the length 316 of theplurality of recesses 102 and/or the plurality of filter tracks 104. Assuch, the plurality of openings 336 may enable the plurality ofadjustable angle brackets 300 to align with the second bracket 112 whenin the second configuration.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a first adjustable angle bracket 338 maybe coupled to a first side 340 of the guideway 121, and a secondadjustable angle bracket 342 may be coupled to a second side 344 of theguideway 121 when the filter track 104 is an intermediate filter track118. In some embodiments, the first adjustable angle bracket 338 and thesecond adjustable angle bracket 342 may be coupled to the guideway 121using a fastener 346, such as a rivet, a button rivet, a screw and abolt, a nut and a bolt, or another suitable fastener. The fastener 346may couple both the first adjustable angle bracket 338 and the secondadjustable angle bracket 342 to the guideway 121 and may enable rotationof the first adjustable angle bracket 338 and the second adjustableangle bracket 342 about the axis 320. In other embodiments, multiplefasteners 346 may be utilized to couple the first adjustable anglebracket 338 and the second adjustable angle bracket 342 to the guideway121.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 19, the plurality ofadjustable angle brackets 300 may each include a first panel 348 and asecond panel 350. The first panel 348 extends in the direction 334transverse to a direction 354 along which the plurality of filter tracks104 extends. Further, the second panel 350 is coupled to the guideway121 via the fastener 346. The first adjustable angle bracket 338 and thesecond adjustable angle bracket 342 are configured to rotate within thegroove 330 to transition between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration.

For example, FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the plurality ofadjustable angle brackets 300 in a first configuration 360. As shown inFIG. 20, each of the first panels 348 of the plurality of adjustableangle brackets 300 is substantially even, flush, and/or aligned with thesecond bracket 112 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 in the firstconfiguration 360. Accordingly, a depth 362 of the plurality of recesses102 extends from the first bracket 110 to the second bracket 112 of theplurality of filter tracks 104. As such, the first bracket 110, thesecond bracket 112, and the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300are configured to abut and/or contact a filter 364 disposed within theplurality of recesses 102 to secure the filter 364 in the adjustablefilter track system 100, where a depth of the filter 364 isapproximately equal to, or slightly less than, the depth 362.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the plurality of adjustable anglebrackets 300 in a second configuration 370. In the second configuration370, the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 is rotatedapproximately 180 degrees about the axis 320 relative to a position ofthe adjustable angle brackets 300 in the first configuration 360. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21, the plurality ofadjustable angle brackets 300 in the second configuration 370 issubstantially aligned in a common direction with the second bracket 112,but is offset from the second bracket 112 by an offset depth 372.Additionally, the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 in thesecond configuration 370 form a depth 374 extending from the firstbracket 110 to the respective first panel 348 of each of the pluralityof adjustable angle brackets 300. Thus, a filter 376 having a depthsubstantially similar to, or slightly less than, the depth 374 isconfigured to contact or abut the first bracket 110 and the first panel348 of the plurality of adjustable angle brackets 300 when secured inthe adjustable filter track system 100 in the second configuration 370.As shown in the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 20 and 21, the depth374 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 in the second configuration370 is less than the depth 362 in the first configuration 360. As such,the adjustable filter track system 100 is configured to receive andsecure filters 364, 376 having at least two different sizes orthicknesses depending on whether the plurality of adjustable anglebrackets 300 are in the first configuration 360 or the secondconfiguration 370.

Third Embodiment of the Adjustable Filter Track System

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable filtertrack system 100 that is configured to receive filters having differentsizes or thicknesses. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 22,the adjustable filter track system 100 includes the plurality of filtertracks 104, which may be coupled to the first strut 106 and the secondstrut 108 to form the plurality of recesses 102. The plurality of filtertracks 104 may include the first bracket 110, the second bracket 112,and/or the guideway 121 to further form the groove 330 of the pluralityof filter tracks 104. Further, the adjustable filter track system 100shown in FIG. 22 includes a plurality of receptacles 400 extendingthrough the respective guideways 121 of the plurality of filter tracks104. In a first configuration 402, a plurality of inserts 404 may beinserted into corresponding receptacles 400 of the plurality ofreceptacles 400 to secure filters 406 within the adjustable filter tracksystem 100. In a second configuration 410, as shown in FIG. 23, theplurality of inserts 404 may be removed from the plurality ofreceptacles 400 to enable securement of filters 412 within theadjustable filter track system 100. As shown in the illustratedembodiments of FIGS. 22 and 23, the filters 406 may have a reduced sizeor thickness when compared to the filters 412.

FIG. 24 is a side view of an embodiment of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 with the plurality of inserts 404 in the first configuration402. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 24, the plurality ofinserts 404 is disposed within corresponding receptacles 400 of theplurality of receptacles 400. For instance, the plurality of inserts 404may include securement features 420 that enable the plurality of inserts404 to be coupled to and extend along an axis 424 transverse to adirection 425 along which the plurality of filter tracks 104 extends.The securement features 420 may include prongs, extensions, tabs, and/orother features that enable the plurality of inserts 404 to be securedwithin the plurality of receptacles 400 via a friction interference fit,a snap engagement, a screw engagement, or another suitable couplingtechnique. In some embodiments, the filters 406 are configured to abutand/or contact the plurality of inserts 404 and/or the first bracket 110to secure the filters 406 in the adjustable filter track system 100. Theplurality of inserts 404 and the corresponding receptacles 400 of theplurality of receptacles 400 may be positioned a distance 426 from thefirst bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks 104. The distance426 corresponds to a size and/or thickness of the filters 406 andenables the filters 406 to be secured within the adjustable filter tracksystem 100.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 24, inserts 404 of theplurality of inserts 404 may be coupled to the first side 340 and thesecond side 344 of the intermediate filter tracks 118. In other words,the inserts 404 may extend along the axis 424 in a direction 427 fromthe guideway 121 and a direction 428, opposite the direction 427, fromthe guideway 121 to secure filters 406 in a first recess 430 of theplurality of recesses 102 and a second recess 432 of the plurality ofrecesses 102, respectively. Further, inserts 404 of the plurality ofinserts 404 may extend from the guideway 121 of the terminal filtertracks 116 in a single direction along the axis 424, thereby extendinginto a single recess of the plurality of recesses 102.

Further, the first bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks 104 mayinclude a C-shaped cross section to enable a plurality of lock plates434 to be removably coupled to an end 436 or side of the adjustablefilter track system 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of filtertracks 104 and/or the plurality of inserts 404 may be formed from apolymeric material. Thus, in order to couple the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 to metallic components of the HVAC system, the plurality oflock plates 434, which may be formed from a polymeric material, ametallic material, or both, may be utilized as an adapter to couple thepolymeric filter tracks 104 to a metallic structural component of theHVAC system. In any case, the plurality of lock plates 434 is configuredto secure the plurality of filter tracks 104 to a structural componentof the HVAC system, such as the struts 106, 108 and/or another suitablecomponent. In some embodiments, the plurality of lock plates 434configured to be disposed on the end 436 of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 may be different for the terminal filter tracks 116 and theintermediate filter tracks 118. The plurality of lock plates 434 isdiscussed in further detail herein with reference to FIGS. 28-33.

FIG. 25 is a side view of an embodiment of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100 with the plurality of inserts 404 removed from the pluralityof receptacles 400, and thus, in the second configuration 410. As shownin the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 25, the filters 412 may bedisposed within the first recess 430 and the second recess 432. Thefilters 412 may extend from the first bracket 110 to the second bracket112 and abut and/or contact both the first bracket 110 and the secondbracket 112. As such, the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 112are configured to secure the filters 412 within the adjustable filtertrack system 100. In other words, the plurality of inserts 404 areremoved from the first recess 430 and the second recess 432 to extend alength 450 of the plurality of recesses 102 to enable the larger filters412 to be received and secured within the adjustable filter track system100. Further, the plurality of lock plates 434 may also be disposed atthe end 436 of the adjustable filter track system 100 in order to blockmovement of the filters 412 beyond the end 436 of the adjustable filtertrack system 100.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an insert 460 of the plurality ofinserts 404. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 26, theinsert 460 includes the securement feature 420, which includes prongs462 or extensions configured to be disposed within a correspondingreceptacle 400 of the plurality of receptacles 400 in the plurality offilter tracks 104. For instance, the prongs 462 may be configured to bedisposed within the corresponding receptacle 400 and engage with aperimeter of the corresponding receptacle 400 to form a frictioninterference fit or a snap fit. In other embodiments, the insert 460 mayinclude another suitable form of securement feature that couples theinsert 460 to the corresponding filter track 104 via the correspondingreceptacle 400.

In some embodiments, the insert 460 includes a length 464 and a height466 that are configured to block the filters 406 from moving outside orbeyond the plurality of recesses 102. Additionally, the length 464 andthe height 466 may facilitate insertion of the filters 406 into theplurality of recesses 102 defined as a space between the first bracket110 and the insert 460 in the first configuration 402. Further, theinsert 460 may include a thickness 468 that is configured to enable theinsert 460 to have a predetermined rigidity that may enable the insert460 to maintain a position within the corresponding receptacle 400despite any forces exerted on the insert 460 by the filters 406. In somecases, the insert 460 may be removed from the corresponding receptacle400 via a tool or an application of force by an operator. However, theinsert 460 is configured to maintain a connection with the respectivefilter track 104 upon application of any forces on the insert 460 by thefilters 406.

FIG. 27 is a side view of an embodiment of the insert 460 and anadditional insert 470 disposed within the intermediate filter track 118.As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 27, a first receptacle472 configured to receive the insert 460 and a second receptacle 474configured to receive the additional insert 470 may be offset from oneanother with a respect to a length 476 of the intermediate filter track118. Accordingly, the insert 460 extending from the first side 340 ofthe guideway 121 and the additional insert 470 extending from the secondside 344 of the guideway 121 are not disposed within the same opening orat the same position along the length 476 of the intermediate filtertrack 118. The insert 460 may be configured to partially form the firstrecess 430, and the additional insert 470 may be configured to partiallyform the second recess 432 without interference from one another orother inserts 404. In some embodiments, the first receptacle 472 and thesecond receptacle 474 may include substantially the same configurationas one another. As such, the plurality of inserts 404 may be disposedwithin the plurality of receptacles 400 from the first side 340 of theguideway 121 and the second side 344 of the guideway 121.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lock plate 434configured to be coupled to the end 436 of the adjustable filter tracksystem 100. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 28, the lockplate 434 includes grooves 480 configured to be coupled to the C-shapedcross section of the first bracket 110 of the plurality of filter tracks104, such as the intermediate filter tracks 118. The grooves 480correspond to the shape and/or geometry of the filter track 104 in orderto enable the lock plate 434 to be snapped onto or otherwise coupled tothe filter track 104. Additionally, the lock plate 434 includes anopening 482 configured to receive a fastener 484 that couples the filtertrack 104 and the lock plate 434 to a structural component of the HVACsystem, such as the struts 106, 108 and/or another suitable component.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the lock plate 434 coupled to a respectivefilter track 104, and specifically, to an intermediate filter track 118.The grooves 480 of the lock plate 434 are disposed over flanges 490 ofthe first bracket 110 of the respective filter track 104 to secure thelock plate 434 to the filter track 104. Additionally, the lock plate 434may be coupled to a component 492, such as a structural component of anHVAC system, via the fastener 484 extending through the opening 482 anda corresponding opening 494 of the component 492.

As set forth above, the terminal filter tracks 116 and/or the lockplates 434 for the terminal filter tracks 116 may include a differentconfiguration than the intermediate filter tracks 118 and/or the lockplates 434 for the intermediate filter tracks 118. For instance, FIG. 30is a perspective view of an embodiment of a terminal filter track 500configured to be utilized with the adjustable filter track system 100 ofFIGS. 22-25. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 30, theterminal filter track 500 includes the first bracket 110, the secondbracket 112, and the guideway 121. The configuration of the firstbracket 110 is different from the configuration of the first bracket 110of the intermediate filter track 118. For instance, the first bracket110 of the terminal filter track 116 may include a substantiallyJ-shaped cross section as opposed to the first bracket 110 of theintermediate filter track 118, which included a substantially C-shapedcross section. The J-shaped cross section of the first bracket 110 mayenable the terminal filter track 116 to lay substantially flush againsta flat surface, such as the ground and/or a housing of an HVAC system.In other embodiments, the cross-sectional geometry of the terminalfilter track 116 may include another suitable configuration.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the terminalfilter track 500. A show in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 31, thefirst bracket 110 of the terminal filter track 500 includes asubstantially J-shaped cross-section 508 that may enable a lock plate434 of the plurality of lock plates 434 to be coupled thereto.Additionally, the plurality of receptacles 400 for the terminal filtertrack 500 may not extend entirely through the guideway 121. Forinstance, the plurality of receptacles 400 for the terminal filter track500 may extend a depth 510 into the guideway 121 that is less than athickness 512 of the terminal filter track 500. Accordingly, thesecurement features 420 of the plurality of inserts 404 may beconfigured to be secured by the plurality of receptacles 400 withoutextending through the entire guideway 121 of the terminal filter track500.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock plate 520 thatmay be coupled to and/or utilized with the terminal filter track 500.The lock plate 520 includes a single groove 522 that is configured to besecured to the J-shaped cross-section 508 of the first bracket 110 ofthe terminal filter track 500. In other embodiments, the groove 522 mayinclude another suitable configuration that conforms to across-sectional geometry of the first bracket 110 of the terminal filtertrack 500. Additionally, the lock plate 520 includes an opening 524 thatis configured to receive a fastener 526 and secure the terminal filtertrack 500, as well as the lock plate 520, to a component of an HVACsystem, such as the struts 106, 108 or another suitable component.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the terminalfilter track 500 having the lock plate 520 and an insert 530 coupledthereto. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 33, the groove522 of the lock plate 520 receives a flanged portion 532 of the firstbracket 110 of the terminal filter track 500. The lock plate 520 may besnapped onto or otherwise coupled to the first bracket 110 of theterminal filter track 500, which may then enable the terminal filtertrack 500 to be coupled to the component 492. Additionally, thesecurement features 420 of the insert 530 extend into the correspondingreceptacle 400 and couple the insert 530 to the terminal filter track500 via a friction interference fit, a snap engagement, a screwengagement, or via another suitable coupling technique.

As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure may provideone or more technical effects useful in reducing costs of manufacturingof an HVAC system. For example, embodiments of the present disclosureare directed to an adjustable filter track configured to have aplurality of configurations, where each configuration of the pluralityof configurations is configured to receive a different sized filter. Insome cases, the adjustable filter track includes a plurality of filtertracks configured to couple to first and second coupling features offirst and second struts at different positions. Coupling the pluralityof filter tracks to the first and second struts at different positionsmay adjust a length or distance of a plurality of recesses formed by theplurality of filter tracks and the first and second struts, therebyenabling the adjustable filter track to switch between configurations.Additionally or alternatively, the adjustable filter track may include aplurality of adjustable angle brackets configured to rotate within theplurality of recesses. The plurality of adjustable angle brackets mayadjust the length or distance of the plurality of recesses, therebyenabling filters of different sizes to be received and secured withinthe adjustable filter track. Further still, the adjustable filter trackmay include a plurality of receptacles extending into the plurality offilter tracks and configured to receive a plurality of inserts. Theadjustable filter track may be configured to receive and secure a firstsized filter when the plurality of inserts is secured in thecorresponding receptacles and configured to receive and secure a secondsized filter, different than the first sized filter, when the pluralityof inserts is removed from the corresponding receptacles. In any case,the adjustable filter track is configured to receive and secure aplurality of filters having different sizes to reduce an amount ofcomponents manufactured for the HVAC system. The technical effects andtechnical problems in the specification are examples and are notlimiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in thespecification may have other technical effects and can solve othertechnical problems.

While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled inthe art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such astemperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials,colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing fromthe novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in theclaims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may bevaried or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated tothe presently contemplated best mode, or those unrelated to enablement.It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effortmight be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undueexperimentation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An adjustable filter track system for aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:a filter track including a guideway and a bracket that form a recessconfigured to receive a first filter in a first configuration of theadjustable filter track system; a plurality of receptacles formed in theguideway and aligned along a length of the guideway; and a plurality ofinserts, wherein, in a second configuration of the adjustable filtertrack system, each insert of the plurality of inserts is configured tobe disposed in a corresponding receptacle of the plurality ofreceptacles and extend outwardly from the guideway to secure a secondfilter between the plurality of inserts and the bracket, wherein thesecond filter has a different thickness than the first filter.
 2. Theadjustable filter track system of claim 1, wherein the filter track andthe plurality of inserts include a polymeric material.
 3. The adjustablefilter track system of claim 1, wherein each insert of the plurality ofinserts is configured to engage the corresponding receptacle of theplurality of receptacles via an interference fit, a snap engagement, ora screw engagement.
 4. The adjustable filter track system of claim 3,wherein each insert of the plurality of inserts includes a pair ofprongs configured to engage with the corresponding receptacle of theplurality of receptacles via the interference fit, the snap engagement,or the screw engagement.
 5. The adjustable filter track system of claim1, comprising a lock plate configured to be disposed at an end of thefilter track, wherein the lock plate is configured to prevent the firstfilter and the second filter from sliding beyond the end of the filtertrack.
 6. The adjustable filter track system of claim 1, wherein thefilter track is an I-beam formed by the bracket, an additional bracket,and the guideway.
 7. The adjustable filter track system of claim 6,wherein the additional bracket includes a C-shaped cross-section.
 8. Theadjustable filter track system of claim 7, comprising a lock plateincluding a first panel and a second panel arranged in an L-shape,wherein the first panel includes a pair of grooves configured slidealong the C-shaped cross-section of the additional bracket.
 9. Theadjustable filter track system of claim 1, comprising an additionalplurality of inserts configured to engage with the plurality ofreceptacles and/or with an additional plurality of receptacles on anopposite side of the guideway from the plurality of inserts tofacilitate securement of a third filter between the additional pluralityof inserts and the bracket or an additional bracket.
 10. The adjustablefilter track system of claim 1, comprising an additional filter trackincluding an additional guideway and an additional bracket that form anadditional recess, wherein the bracket of the filter track and theadditional bracket of the additional filter track are configured to becoupled to a strut.
 11. The adjustable filter track system of claim 10,wherein the additional filter track includes a C-shaped cross-sectionformed by the additional bracket, an outer bracket, and the additionalguideway.
 12. The adjustable filter track system of claim 11, whereinthe additional bracket of the additional filter track is coupled to anend of the strut, and wherein the outer bracket of the additional filtertrack comprises a J-shaped cross-section.
 13. The adjustable filtertrack system of claim 12, comprising a lock plate including a firstpanel and a second panel arranged in an L-shape, wherein the first panelincludes a groove configured slide along the J-shaped cross-section ofthe outer bracket.
 14. The adjustable filter track system of claim 11,wherein the additional filter track includes an additional plurality ofreceptacles formed in the additional guideway, and wherein theadditional plurality of receptacles extend a depth into the additionalguideway.
 15. The adjustable filter track system of claim 14, whereinthe depth is less than a thickness of the additional guideway of theadditional filter track.
 16. An adjustable filter track system,comprising: a plurality of filter tracks each including a guidewaydisposed between a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the firstbracket and the second bracket extend in a direction transverse to theguideway and are configured to retain a first filter therebetween in afirst configuration of the adjustable filter track system; a pluralityof receptacles formed in corresponding guideways of the plurality offilter tracks; and a plurality of inserts, wherein, in a secondconfiguration of the adjustable filter track system, each insert of theplurality of inserts is configured to be disposed in a correspondingreceptacle of the plurality of receptacles and extend outwardly from thecorresponding guideway of the plurality of filter tracks in thedirection transverse to the corresponding guideway to secure a secondfilter between the respective insert and the corresponding firstbracket.
 17. The adjustable filter track system of claim 16, wherein theplurality of filter tracks is spaced uniformly along a length of astrut.
 18. The adjustable filter track system of claim 16, wherein eachfirst bracket of the plurality of filter tracks has a C-shaped crosssection or a J-shaped cross section configured to facilitate couplingbetween the respective first bracket of the plurality of filter tracksand grooves of corresponding lock plates of a plurality of lock plates.19. The adjustable filter track system of claim 18, comprising theplurality of lock plates, wherein each lock plate of the plurality oflock plates includes an opening configured to facilitate coupling eachlock plate of the plurality of lock plates to a strut via mechanicalfasteners.
 20. The adjustable filter track system of claim 16, wherein afirst insert of the plurality of inserts is configured to extendoutwardly from a first side of a first guideway of the plurality offilter tracks, and wherein a second insert of the plurality of insertsis configured to extend outwardly from a second side of the firstguideway of the plurality of filter tracks, opposite the first side. 21.An adjustable filter track system, comprising: a plurality of inserts,each insert of the plurality of inserts having a securement featureconfigured to facilitate coupling of the respective insert tocorresponding receptacles of a plurality of receptacles extendingthrough a guideway of a filter track, wherein each insert of theplurality of inserts is configured to extend outwardly from the guidewayof the filter track in a direction transverse to a length of theguideway to secure a filter between the respective insert and a bracketof the filter track.
 22. The adjustable filter track system of claim 21,wherein the securement feature includes a pair of prongs configured toextend into the corresponding receptacles of the plurality ofreceptacles.
 23. The adjustable filter track system of claim 22, whereinthe pair of prongs is configured to facilitate coupling of thecorresponding insert of the plurality of inserts within thecorresponding receptacles of the plurality of receptacles via aninterference fit, a snap engagement, or a screw engagement.
 24. Theadjustable filter track system of claim 21, wherein a first insert ofthe plurality of inserts is configured to extend outwardly from a firstside of the guideway of the filter track, and a second insert of theplurality of inserts is configured to extend outwardly from a secondside, opposite the first side, of the guideway of the filter track. 25.The adjustable filter track system of claim 24, wherein a first set ofreceptacles of the plurality of receptacles is configured to receive thefirst insert of the plurality of inserts, a second set of receptacles ofthe plurality of receptacles is configured to receive the second insertof the plurality of inserts, and the first set of receptacles and theset of second receptacles are offset from one another with respect tothe length of the guideway.